Dr. Shah has special expertise in the surgical treatment of benign and malignant tumors in the head and neck area, including tumors of the mouth, pharynx, (throat), larynx, (voice box), sinuses, skull base, thyroid, parathyroid, and salivary glands as well as tumors of the skin, soft tissues, and bones.

Since 1992, he has been Chief of the Head and Neck Service in the Department of Surgery and also leads the Head and Neck Disease Management Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This multidisciplinary team of more than 30 specialists includes head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, maxillofacial prosthodontists, as well as plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Members of the team work together to develop treatment plans for each of our head and neck cancer patients that incorporate the latest technology and most advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgery, laser surgery, robotic surgery, and non-surgical cancer therapies.

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Dr. Shah’s special interests are in the field of skull basesurgery and surgery to preserve the function of the throat (pharynx) and the voice box (larynx). He has developed many new surgical procedures that enable surgeons to remove tumors from complex areas, such as the base of the skull. Because of these advances it is now feasible to preserve organ function and facial appearance to a far greater degree than was previously possible.

Dr. Shah is actively involved in training the next generation of head and neck cancer surgeons, and he and his colleagues have developed a surgical training program supported by the National Cancer Institute. This program draws talented surgeons from all over the world who travel to Memorial Sloan Kettering to learn the latest surgical techniques for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Over the years he has written six books in the field of head and neck cancer and has published nearly 400 scientific articles. (For a full listing of his publications, click on the icon at the right.) His textbook of head and neck surgery and oncology has won several awards and has been named the “Best Book in the Specialty” in the past five years by the University of London.

Dr. Shah has lectured extensively, both nationally and internationally and serves on the editorial boards of 12 scientific journals. He is professor of surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College and holds the Elliot W. Strong Chair in Head and Neck Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering. He has been listed in “Best Doctors in America” directories continuously for the past 20 years.

In addition to his clinical and research activities at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Shah is actively involved in head and neck oncology both nationally and internationally. He has served as president of the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons, the North American Skull Base Society, the New York Head and Neck Society, the New York Cancer Society, and the International Academy of Oral Oncology. He founded the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Over the years, he has also served in varying capacities on the American Board of Surgery, the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, and the Advanced Training Council for Head and Neck Surgery.

His expertise in the specialty of head and neck surgery has been recognized with honorary fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of London, Edinburgh, and Australia, and honorary PhD degrees from the University of Athens and the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He is an honorary member of specialty medical societies in Australia and New Zealand, Philippines, Korea, India, Belgium, Israel, South Africa, Brazil, and Peru. He has been honored by the establishment of an endowed chair in his name at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

base (bays)

In chemistry, a substance that can accept hydrogen ions in water and can neutralize an acid. Bases feel soapy or slippery on the skin and they can turn certain dyes blue. An example of a base is sodium hydroxide. Basicity is measured on a scale called the pH scale. On this scale, a pH value of 7 is neutral, and a pH value of more than 7 to 14 shows increasing basicity.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cavity (KA-vih-tee)

A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

head and neck cancer (... KAN-ser)

Cancer that arises in the head or neck region (in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx [voice box]).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

larynx (LAYR-inx)

The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called voice box.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)

A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

nasal (NAY-zul)

By or having to do with the nose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Cancer Institute (NA-shuh-nul KAN-ser IN-stih-TOOT)

The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the National Cancer Institute Web site at . Also called NCI.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oncology (on-KAH-loh-jee)

The study of cancer.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

oral (OR-ul)

By or having to do with the mouth.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

organ (OR-gun)

A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pharynx (FAYR-inx)

The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The pharynx is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called throat.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

soft tissue (... TIH-shoo)

Refers to muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

throat (throte)

The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The throat is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called pharynx.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

thyroid (THY-royd)

A gland located beneath the larynx (voice box) that makes thyroid hormone and calcitonin. The thyroid helps regulate growth and metabolism. Also called thyroid gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

voice box (voys …)

The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called larynx.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

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